Page 35 of A Life Diverted
L ady Catherine offered the role of hostess of Netherfield Park to her sister, Elaine, Cilla, or her niece, Emily. The ladies all politely refused, leaving Lady Catherine in the post. The four ladies were meeting in the latter’s private sitting room.
“Do you think we should speak to Fanny about holding a ball for the neighbourhood?” Lady Catherine suggested.
“The next public assembly is not for another two or three months, and it would be a good way to meet all of the Bennets’ neighbours and, by extension, Ellie’s friends.
I have heard her speak of a very good friend, a Miss Lucas.
If our time at the assembly had not been truncated, we would have met far more of the denizens of the area.
It can be an engagement ball for Jane and David. ”
“That is a very good idea, Catherine,” Lady Matlock agreed.
“We can raise the topic with Fanny when we return to Longbourn.” She looked at her younger sister, who had not stopped smiling since she had seen and touched Ellie again.
“And you, Cilla dearest, have your feet touched the ground since you saw Ellie?”
“I believe not! I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” cried Cilla.
“Oh why am I thus singled out and blessed above all people? If I could but see everyone as happy! I was certain my Ellie was alive, but as the days became weeks, the weeks became months, and the months became years, even as my belief that she was alive never wavered, I was aware that the chances of my ever seeing her again were very slight. ”
“It is my belief that He determined we would find Ellie,” Lady Matlock insisted.
“Not only did Jane see us, which led to us knowing where Ellie was, but Catherine, Richard, and William discovered her on the same night. We will never know why you had to live apart from your daughter for so many years, but that is no longer the case. Did you not see how much more comfortable she became with all of us in such a short time?”
“Mother is correct,” Lady Emily opined. “I remember what you related regarding Jane’s warnings that Ellie hated change. I think her knowing that she was never rejected as she had believed has already done much to alleviate her concerns.”
“When I felt her in my arms on arriving at Longbourn, I had to make sure it was not a dream.” Cilla looked off into nowhere as she remembered the feel of her daughter in her arms and the smell of the lavender-scented water she was wearing today.
“So many nights while I slept I have seen, or at least I imagined, how she would look as she grew. The reality is so much better than anything I have imagined over the last seventeen-plus years.”
“All I know is that since Jane revealed Ellie’s location to us, the glow in my sister which had been extinguished when Ellie was taken, is back. Today when you saw and touched her, you shone like the sun,” Lady Matlock stated.
“Two dreams have come true in the space of four and twenty hours,” Cilla said with glee.
“Not only have I seen Ellie and been reunited with her, but David has finally found the woman of his future. I could not approve of Jane more if I tried. She is perfect for David. Now all we need is for Barney to arrive. I think he will be here by Wednesday. Joseph sent an additional express, so he will know where to find us. Also, he sent one to Stephen; I pray our brother will answer the call.”
Her nephew Barney was a sensitive soul. Hence, Lady Matlock was concerned he would berate himself for accepting that Ellie was dead when she clearly was not. Hopefully he would not be too hard on himself. She too was not sure Stephen would come.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Wendell handed the express to the Matlock courier who would convey it to Glenmeade.
He was pleased Cilla had thought of this.
In all of the excitement of seeing Ellie—his daughter had accepted a hug from him before they left Longbourn—and Jane accepting David’s hand, he had not thought about his brother-in-law who had been so affected by Ellie’s kidnapping.
The three men were in the study. Matlock wanted to bring something up to his brother-in-law.
He was sorry that Richard and William had remained at Longbourn along with Giana.
Even though Richard had not gone into the army thanks to Catherine gifting him Rosings Park, among other things, he had a very good tactical mind, which would have made him a great officer.
Truth be told, Matlock did not repine that Richard was in England and not on the Peninsula.
“Wendell, I know we may not want to think about this after just seeing Ellie today, but I would be remiss if I did not bring this up,” Matlock stated.
“You refer to Ellie’s safety?” Wendell verified.
“I do,” Matlock confirmed. “Do not forget; we know not who took Ellie, and he, or they, may still be out there. We are sure the abduction was connected to the funds and watch stolen that night Ellie was spirited away.”
“Do you worry that the person or persons will hear about Ellie and see her as a threat?” Andrew queried.
“Yes, Son, precisely,” Matlock stated.
“Do you think whoever the miscreant is, or miscreants are, would think a girl who was not three yet would be able to remember who took her after all of these years?” David asked.
“If he were rational, it would not be an issue, but the chances are he does not think clearly, which would in the criminal’s mind make Ellie a target,” Matlock opined.
“I suggest that when we return to Longbourn, we have this conversation with Bennet and ask if we may add men as guards. Richard has convinced me to employ former soldiers as footmen, guards, and outriders. They are excellent in their roles and are the best of guards.”
“Richard has me employing former soldiers and the like as well,” Andrew added.
“And me,” Wendell said. “I agree we need to speak to Bennet. The last thing we need is for him to see us as attempting to usurp his position. His interests are in protecting Ellie as well, so I do not believe that he would object.”
“It has been many years since I have seen Aunt Cilla looking so full of joy,” Andrew remarked.
“That is because Mother’s heart is whole again,” David insisted. “Do you think we will depart for Longbourn soon?”
“It seems that you are besotted with Jane.” Andrew grinned.
“And you are not with Emily?” David shot back. “As Father is with Mother, and Uncle is with Aunt Elaine.”
“Yes, well, you have me there,” Andrew admitted.
“I envy our cousins who remained at Longbourn,” David sighed. “Do you think the ladies are ready to return now?”
Notwithstanding his claim that he was not in love with Jane yet, the men in the study with David gave one another knowing looks. David may not be ready to admit it to himself, but he was in love with Jane Bennet.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Fanny, would you object if Elaine, Emily, and I planned an engagement ball at Netherfield Park?” Cilla asked once the ladies were seated in the drawing room .
Aside from Fanny and Maddie, Jane and Lizzy were present with the four ladies who were residents at Netherfield Park.
Giana and Mary had been joined by Lydia and Henry in the music room, the latters’ lessons completed for the day.
The men had returned as well, and other than a short greeting to Jane, David had repaired to the library with the rest of the men.
“Mrs Wendell, I appreciate that you would like to, but there is no need,” Jane demurred with a blush.
“Jane dear, you call Fanny, Mama, do you not?” Cilla enquired.
“I do,” Jane replied.
In that case, please call me Mother. You may address my sister as Aunt Elaine, her sister as Aunt Catherine, and with Emily, please use her given name,” Cilla allowed. As she spoke their names, each lady nodded her agreement.
“Ellie already addresses me as Aunt Catherine, so I would like to extend that to all of your sisters and brothers,” Lady Catherine added.
The other ladies permitted the same.
“Jane dear, although the ball will celebrate your engagement, it is also our way of thanking everyone in the neighbourhood for the way they opened their hearts to Ellie. All they knew was that she was a foundling who could have been the daughter of a servant as much as she was gently born, and yet, from what we have heard so far, Ellie was accepted without any reservations,” Cilla explained.
She had not wanted her new family to go to so much trouble. However, when Mother clarified the other reason behind the desire to have a ball, Jane knew that any further opposition would be missish. “In that case, I thank you. I am sure David will join me in that,” she accepted.
“I spoke to Mrs Nichols before we departed, and she told me that Cook can have enough white soup made in a little more than a sennight,” Lady Catherine informed the other ladies in the drawing room.
Fanny walked over to the escritoire and picked up the calendar.
“What say you to the eighteenth day of October for the ball? It is a Friday and a little over a fortnight from now. That should give us enough time to prepare all that is needed. I assume that will allow enough time if you wish to invite any friends you desire to from London,” she suggested.
Before she replied, Cilla stood and walked to the sofa where Ellie was seated with Jane and Madeline Gardiner.
“Ellie dear, would you object if at the ball we announce that unlike most in society believe, you are very much alive, and we have discovered you? We would also make an announcement in the papers. If you think it is too soon, we will say not a word,” she asked her daughter gently.
Elizabeth cogitated for some moments. She came to the conclusion that if she refused, although her mother and father would not complain, it would be selfish.
She still had some anxieties about the future, but all of her major concerns had been laid to rest. “No, Mother, I do not object,” she replied.